Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
ConfuciusRead
When you are ignorant about something, to know that you are ignorant about it - that is knowledge.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Recognizing one's own ignorance is the first step towards acquiring knowledge.
This quote by Confucius emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in the pursuit of knowledge. Acknowledging our own ignorance is a crucial aspect of learning, as it opens the door to curiosity and understanding, allowing us to seek out answers and grow intellectually.
Themes
KnowledgeIgnoranceSelf-AwarenessWisdomLearning
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture about personal growth, one might use this quote to stress the value of recognizing gaps in knowledge.
More from Confucius
All quotes →Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
ConfuciusRead
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
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Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
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The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
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Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
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